Cristiano increased his legend in the quiet defeat of Portugal

Portugal started the qualifying phase for Euro 2024 with a predictable win over Liechtenstein at the José Alvalade stadium in Lisbon (4-0). The result was the least of it due to the huge difference in level between the two teams, but the game had reasons of interest.

Roberto Martinez made his debut as Portuguese coach, replaced Fernando Santos after the World Cup in Qatar, and already noticed his hand in having a defense of three, a 3-4-3 rarely used by his predecessor.

But the great opponent again is cristiano ronaldo, who at the age of 38 became the player with the most national team caps (197) in history, surpassing the record Kuwaiti striker Badar Al Mutawa. And he celebrated by scoring a set-piece double in which he extended another record, the world’s leading scorer also defending his country’s shirt, now with 120 goals.

I cancel, tirelessly

In addition to CR7, Joao Cancelo stood out as a winger on the right by participating in the first three goals. The 1-0 was his, in the 7th minute, getting a rebound from the goalkeeper Benjamin Buchel after a corner and so many shots from outside the area that, after being deflected by a defender and the Christian himselfslipped the purpose of the visit.

I canceled He placed the ball which, after a mistake by defender Lars Traber, was controlled by his chest Christian, but, alone in front of the goalkeeper, he shoots wide, missing a very clear opportunity (23′).

Good start for Joao Félix

João Felix, which is played on point Cristiano and Bernardo Silva, He also performed at a good level in the first period of the match, though buchel prevented him from scoring with two well-aimed shots.

christian he caresses the goal again in a corner with a header that skims the post (33′). Büchel gave Liechtenstein a creditable 1-0 lead at half-time by clearing a tight shot from João Palhinha (38′).

Bernardo scored 2-0 and Cristiano was shining

But after the break Portugal came out ready to finish the game and, already in the first minute, Bernardo Silva He made it 2-0 by taking advantage of a bad defensive clearance after another run down the line by I canceled.

Then it was time for the show of christian Jens Hofer brought down the unsatisfied on the spot I canceled and CR7 penalty converted (50′). The Portuguese captain scored again moments later but his goal was disallowed for offside (56′), but he left his mark again with a powerful free-kick that curled into the hands of buchel (60′) before being replaced a quarter of an hour from the end.

The game had no history and, despite the fact that it continued to create chances, the Liechtenstein goalkeeper prevented Portugal from achieving a bigger win in Liechtenstein’s debut with his interventions. Robert Martinez.